Transparency
JD Residential Team (Team Hero)
Everyday the JD Residential team ensures that the clients have the best care possible. They go above and beyond everyday. As a team they provide scholarships for Central Valley High School, they pick a family to purchase Christmas gifts for, they did backpacks for FNRC kids who are in need and this is something as a team they all decide on. They see that there are not just clients in need of greatness but those out in the community as well.
Idona Sanchez (Everyday Hero)
I have known Idona for some time and throughout the years she has been consistent with maintaining high morale both in and out of the office. She offers guidance, support and assistance if someone ever needs a sounding board to gauge their mindset. She will drop what she is doing to ensure that someone is feeling seen, heard and uplifted in their time of need. She is a fierce advocate and truly makes a positive difference in the lives of the people she supports. She treats everyone equally and prioritizes inclusivity. Idona is someone that I can count on to listen intently and lend a helping hand if I need it. Her presence is genuinely appreciated and we couldn’t be more grateful to have a kind and humble person be part of our team.
Megan Ciaramella (Everyday Hero)
Megan Ciaramella embodies the qualities of a hero everyday she goes to work. Megan works as a preschool teacher for Headstart at Shasta College and has worked in various Headstart programs around Shasta County for many years. Megan has the biggest heart and often is working with children who come from underprivileged homes and undesirable circumstances who require a lot of extra support and understanding. As a mother herself, and even before she had her own children, Megan gives these children she serves all of her attention, knowledge and care. She develops bonds with children who have no other stability. These children will remember Megan and the impact her genuine love and support had on their lives, because she genuinely cares. Her job is never an easy one and she often is dealing with children who have trauma or developmental disabilities and she never lets it fluster her. Some people just have that special aura of peace and calm, she does, and the kids benefit from it. During Covid, she made sure that her students were getting regular contact from her above and beyond what she was being asked to do. The families were so incredibly grateful to her. I would nominate her every day if I could. Megan is a hero to lots of Shasta County children and families.
Stephen Bell (Everyday Hero)
Stephen’s commitment to inclusion is inspiring and his daily actions make a positive impact in our community.
With a career marked by a strong commitment to public service, Stephen has further demonstrated his dedication to the community through his volunteer positions. Stephen has volunteered for State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Far Northern Regional Center, Shasta County Special Olympics, Far Northern Regional Center Local Self Determination Advisory Committee just to name a few. He is a role model leader who demonstrates respect for all individuals he encounters. He has an impact on those lives he touches that promotes a culture of valuing all individuals.
Best Behavior, LLC (Superhero)
Best Behavior LLC has been wonderful to work with. They are always there to support all the families and clients they serve. They have been with us for a little over two years now and they have made a world of difference. They are always coming up with new ideas that will best fit the clients and work hand in hand with providers.
They like to attend outings and hikes with the clients and any adventure the client and staff want to try.
Hands down Best Behavior LLC has made a world of difference to all of us. They deserve to be recognized for going out of their way and above and beyond.
Diana Anderson (Superhero)
Diana Anderson deserves to be recognized as an inclusion superhero because instead of relaxing in retirement, she is driving a life changing FNRC Wellness project to give persons with varying abilities a fair chance at “The Best Life”. Diana is focusing all her expertise and credibility to help others live a truly full and meaningful life. Her work brings all the proven, positive elements together: movement, nutrition, relationships, mindfulness, and motivation. Diana is crafting this into The Best Life program with vendors to make this really come true for all of us. She is ‘walking the talk’ of our vision: “everyone has the right to live a full and meaningful life.” For a person like Diana who has already done so much for the community with ID/DD, this is an absolutely amazing encore performance by an extraordinary individual. I cannot say enough about what Diana has done and is doing for us. Bravo, Diana!
Eric Magana (Superhero)
Mr. Magana is my son’s teacher in the access program at Hooker Oak Elementary. From the first day of school, it was very clear the passion that Eric has for his students. My son in particular, has more behaviors that are challenging. Mr. Magana has gone above and beyond to truly understand and connect with him. Observing him with all his students, you can see the comfort these kids have when he’s around. Mr. Magana is truly shaping these children’s lives in ways that doesn’t come easy now a days. The success behind his teaching approach has shown itself in the milestones my son now hits. For the first time in 4 years, I am confident dropping my son off at school. Knowing Mr. Magana is there to be the voice my son needs when I’m not around, has shifted my entire outlook on the school system.
I look forward to hearing the success Mr. Magana will reach within our community. He is the type of teacher and the type of human the world needs more of. Someone who sees everyone as one, someone who knows there is good in all. Someone who will put himself in a not so ideal situation, yet come out smiling with triumph. Mr. Magana deserves to be recognized for everything he does and all he brings to the lives of our younger generation. Thank you Eric. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you for accepting my son and so many others with all they came with.
Maizy Alspaugh (Advocacy Hero)
Maizy is the advocate of all advocates. She continuously goes above and beyond for not only the children on her caseload, but for all children that are being faced with adversity. She uses her voice to amplify the small voices of children that may otherwise be swept under the rug so that they may be provided services and opportunities that they very well deserve. Maizy is a superhero if there ever was one.
Maizy is very passionate and cares for all of her families. She is always advocating to get more services to the rural areas that she serves. She goes above and beyond to ensure that families are informed and supported when they are starting their IEP process. When meeting with families, she spends the time to make sure she has heard all of their needs and gives them information on how they can access supports in areas outside of FNRC services. Maizy shines when she speaks of her clients and the care that they receive knowing that she will continue to push for more.
Maizy always goes above and beyond to support her rural area population and caseload. She advocates for her clients and empowers their families to use their voice. She always ensures her families feel heard and her clients are supported. She puts her heart and soul into every single client and family. Maizy is truly an amazing advocate and support system for the clients and families she serves.
Maizy is the definition of advocate. She is fiercely defensive of the remote areas of Eastern Shasta County, Burney and further. She is constantly asking providers to bring early start services to this underserved population and helping them problem solve in order to ensure every single client has what they need to be successful. Maizy approaches each client with personalized care and passion, and honestly doesn’t let the word “no” deter her. She sees doors closing as opportunities for her to advocate for her rural communities.
Brandi Seaters
Brandi is a real powerhouse helping us directly through the Vote project a peer instructional program offered by we care a lot to help get more people with developmental disabilities to vote.
Her part time job is helping to deliver awards to people who have been selected through celebration of heroes. She also helps to arrange drop offs with other winners.
Brandi is also a big supporter of people first in our region. Every two years she offers support in helping members of people first plan and put together their conferences. This past May she even helped set up a zoom line so members could attend the conference virtually. In everything she does, she is an amazing advocate who helps others to find their own voice and their own solutions.
Sherri Douglas & Glen Pollock (Barrier Buster Hero)
I am pleased to write a recommendation for Sherri Douglas and Glenn Pollock deserving of the Barrier Buster Hero award. Sherri Douglas is a strong Self-Advocate within the North State and beyond! She is passionate about being a person with a disability and living a healthy lifestyle. Her passion drives her to seek avenues to learn, teach, and support others in their life goals in health and wellness.
Both Sherri and Glenn dedicate their time and energy to an ongoing program called Healthy U. Sherri remains motivated and focused on long-term goals to see health and wellness deeply embedded into the Regional Center system across California. Beyond the Regional Center, Sherri is passionate about health care and teaching other self-advocates strategies to lift their voice and advocate for their needs, wants, and life goals.
Sherri takes pride and finds joy in interacting with other self-advocates, families, community, and professionals knowing that each person’s journey in healthy living is truly person-centered. Sherri is one individual with her passion; she remains consistent and flexible in her goals all the while placing the spotlight on living a healthy and inclusive lifestyle.